A Mother’s Prayer

 July 29, 2022

“And how’s Linda doing?” It was a simple question that revealed a mother’s heart. I had finished my Spanish lesson with my good friend Clark; he, his wife Marilyn and I were standing by the back door of the library talking. They had asked about our son Nate, and I had been telling them about how he is handling things. They assured me of their daily prayers for him when Marilyn asked about Linda. 

Sometimes when people tell you they are praying, you just know it’s little more than kind conversation, but there are those whose sincerity and promises are something you can really lean into. Clark and Marilyn are in the latter camp. 

This evening, Nate came over to borrow our lawn tractor while his is getting a tune-up. When he brought it back, we talked. He is surprised at how people are so impressed with his handling of the cancer. His response is perfectly normal and understandable to him, while a reaction of fear and panic is to him unfathomable. What many don’t know is that he has been training for this moment for years. His spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and worship has sent his roots deep into Christ. Deep roots are what enables us to weather storms.

The first psalm explains this.

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, 

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, 

And in His law he meditates day and night. 

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, 

That brings forth its fruit in its season, 

Whose leaf also shall not wither; 

And whatever he does shall prosper.” —Psalm 1:1-3 

Storms come our way. Sooner or later, the wind picks up, the rain starts, the floodwaters rise. Without deep roots, a life gets washed away. Deeply rooted, it’s possible to withstand the fiercest weather. I am grateful tonight for his faith, it’s inspiration to others, and for the prayers of my friends, not only for him, but for his mother from a mother.